Prieto Captures Three Trophies at County Swim Competition

Cooper Prieto had a smile to match the shine of the three trophies he held Saturday morning at the Westfield Memorial Pool.

Prieto, swimming for Manor Park, won 8-under 25 butterfly and placed second in the backstroke and freestyle at the annual Union County Outdoor Swim League meet.

Manor is something of the little guy on the block behind teams from Memorial and Nomahagen. Coach April Sherman had a roster of just 67 combined for Friday and Saturday's meet. Friday's meet for the older swimmers.

"We're the underdogs,'' said Sherman. "We're working with small numbers here. But it's about the individual, completely. We want our guys to strive for their best times. They work hard and they work hard for the team, but its important for them to do their best.''

Prieto swam 20.37 for the butterfy, which Sherman said was about two seconds faster than his previous best time.

"He did awesome,'' she said.  "Today he blew his best out of the water.''

Prieto and his dad thanked Sherman for her guidance during the summer, and the little guy said he was looking forward to returning next year.

"They come back because they enjoy swimming for us, the mentality, the sportsmanship of our club,'' Sherman said. "We may not win meets as a whole, but they get the encouragement, they enjoy being with friends. It goes beyond winning or losing. Their friends are here and they stay with their friends, where they are comfortable is where they'll do their best.''

Sherman added that Manor's Phil Hessemer, Trent Gabriel and Joe Ventura went 1-2-3 in Friday night's boy's 15-18 breast stroke.

"I thought we did awesome,'' she said.

Other winners Saturday included Julia McGann (Nomahagen) in the 7-under 25 freestyle and Peter Youssef (Memorial) in the 6-under 25 freestyle. McGann also won the backstroke.

Colin Daniel of Nomahagen tied with Brody Rash of Highland Swim Club in the 25-bresat stroke for 9 and 10. The same two finished 1-2 in the freestyle with Rash winning. Memorial's Sean Weiszczek won the 8-under 25 freestyle, placed second to Prieto in the butterfly and was third in the backstroke.